“But why do they use the word ‘oath’?” I asked. Harriet rubbed her forehead again.

“I’m not exactly sure why,” Harriet said, “But that’s what it’s always been called. It could be called that because it says you can’t betray the Debrik, but that’s about it.”

“I can’t betray the Debrik?” I asked, “What do they mean?” Harriet hung her face low and sighed.

“It means that the word of the Debrik head is law,” Harriet said, “Let’s get you to lunch then.” Harriet took my hand with a fake smile, and we were encased in light while the background changed.

“Wow!” I shouted, “That was so cool, Harriet!” I let go of Harriet’s hand and watched as others appeared, including Agatha, Arthur, Charles, and Meredith. Meredith held out her arms when she saw me.

“Aurelie, my child,” Meredith said as she looked at me, “Come over here. There’s so much I want to talk about.” I fidgeted but ran for a hug anyway because it felt like Meredith was someone I could trust.

“What should I call you?” I asked. Meredith smiled.

“Mom should be fine,” Meredith said. I smiled.

“Mom sounds nice...” I murmured, comforted by the warmth. I let go and waited for everybody to enter. There were quite a few people, including Flouppzich, there. Arthur sat at one end of the table and Agatha at the other. I believe there were ten Flouppzich at the table. I sat across from Meredith, with Hyun Shik sitting next to me on the right and Agatha on the next seat to my left.

“Everyone,” Arthur bellowed, causing everyone to quiet down, “Today, we greet our newest family members, Aurelie Grimes and Hyun Shik Grimes. Why don’t we all introduce ourselves to the children? We’ll start with the eldest, myself, and go from there.”- Arthur stood up, “I am your grandfather, Arthur McKinnon Grimes; I am head of the family and also head of the Debrik, which is like a great big family, a clan even.” Arthur sat down, and the next person stood up, Agatha.

“I am your grandmother, children,” Agatha smiled, “My name is Agatha Genevieve Nezer Grimes.” A tall woman with short blonde hair stood up.

“My name is Alice Lynn Grimes,” she said, “I am the first mother of Bethany Jane Grimes and Hyun Shik Grimes.” Another woman, who looked a lot like Hyun Shik, sat beside Alice and stood up as Alice sat down.

My name is Young-Mi Kim Grimes,” she said, “I am the second mother of Bethany Jane and Hyun Shik.” Young-Mi sat down, and Meredith stood up.

“My name is Meredith Lyn Durman Grimes,” Meredith said, “I am the mother of Aurelie Tallulah Grimes.” Meredith sat down, and Charles stood up.

“I am Charles Nezer Grimes,” Charles said, “I am the father of Aurelie Tallulah Grimes.” Aside from having blue-green eyes, a woman who looked almost exactly like me stood up.

“I’m Agatha Marissa Grimes,” the lady said, “I have no children, nor am I married, and everyone just calls me Marissa, so I’m Auntie Marissa to you two.” Auntie Marissa sat down, and the girl beside Hyun Shik stood up. The girl looked similar to Hyun Shik, but her hair was darker.

“I’m Bethany Jane Grimes,” she said, looking at me and then Hyun Shik. Back again, “I’m Hyun Shik Grimes’s older sister. Please call me Beth.” Beth sat down, and Hyun Shik stood up.

“I’m Hyun Shik Grimes,” Hyun Shik said as he messed with his fingers, “I’m here, I guess...” He sat down, which I took as my opportunity to stand up and talk about myself.

“Hey, everybody,” I said, “My name is Aurelie Tallulah Grimes. I like reading and writing.” I sat down, and the food arrived. I had some green soup that tasted oddly sweet. I decided not to ask about it. Soon enough, it was time for the ‘oath,’ and it was awkward, with Hyun Shik and myself standing as far apart as we could be in the same small area, which looked like it was fenced in, but I didn’t think it was. Several more kids entered our area, so it got a little crowded.

“We’re here today to celebrate the return of the children to our great Healing Tides Debrik,” that weird man in a hood from yesterday said from behind this weird thing that wrapped around him but not behind him, “Today, we are having these children give their oaths to the Debrik. I will announce the children’s names in order of age, and they will take the oath together. Amelia Green, Tyler McKinnon, Lucas Darby, Kipling Koboyashi, Annabelle Martin, Jason Moore, Caleb Conover, Lacey Jacobs, Hyun Shik Grimes, Isabella Stewart, and Aurelie Grimes.” It almost looked like he was staring at us from underneath his weird hood, making me feel weird. “Children, your oath will now be explained by the leader of the Healing Tides, Debrik, Arthur Grimes.” Arthur, becoming my grandfather, walked up and switched places with the hooded man.

“Hello, children,” My grandfather said, “Welcome to our Healing Tides, Debrik. I know that these are scary times for you, being ripped out of the human world on your tenth birthday and all. You may not know what is happening or where you are, but I’m letting you know you’re safe here. We are all your family here, as a Debrik and all the smaller families within our Debrik. The oath isn’t as scary as you think; it is merely a token of gratitude. Today, you will become part of our great Healing Tides Debrik. There is nothing that you have to recite; all you have to do is say the words ‘I will.’ And by saying this, you will be saying that you will hold your Debrik, the great Healing Tides Debrik, in your hearts and do what you believe is right for the Debrik. That is all, thank you.” My grandfather switched places with the hooded man again.

“Thank you, Healing Tides Debrik Leader,” the hooded man said, “Now, children, will you vow to do just that?”

“I will,” every other child near me said.

“I will,” I said.

“Oh, a hesitant one?” the hooded man asked. I could feel all eyes on me; frankly, I was terrified. “Well, whatever. The oath part is done. It is time to prepare for the Returner’s Ball in three days. Everyone is dismissed.” Everyone left in a rush, but I was still there when everyone was gone.

I was starting to miss Dad, Ellie, and Marcus. Why was I taken away from them? Am I supposed to accept these people as my new family? Like I didn’t have a family before? I could feel tears rolling down my cheeks. It was hard with Mom and Eric never being on my side, but they weren’t all that bad.

I was supposed to have a good tenth birthday but missed most because I fainted. I just... I’m upset that I couldn’t spend my tenth birthday with the people that mattered to me; instead, I ended up here with people I didn’t know in a place I didn’t know. I guess this is all I have now because I don’t think I’ll be allowed to go back home. I’m not even allowed to say I had a family before this one. Just where did I land myself?

I left the room after I calmed down, but I had no idea where I was or what I was supposed to do.

“Aurelie!” Meredith said, “There you are!” I turned and saw Meredith, whom I should be called ‘Mom’ now, I guess, rushing over to me with Charles, whom I should call ‘Dad,’ but I won’t, seeing as he wasn’t my Dad, so I guess he’ll be ‘Papa.’

“Where did you go?” Papa asked.

“I didn’t leave the room,” I said, “I had no idea how to get back.” Mom frowned.

“I’m sorry, sweetie,” Mom said, “Everyone rushed us out, and we couldn’t get to you before we were forced out. We didn’t realize that you were still there.” I sighed.

“It’s okay,” I said, “I needed some time to myself.” Papa looked at my face.

“Have you been crying?” Papa asked. I looked at the floor.

“A little,” I said.

“We know how hard it is the first week,” Mom said. There are many adjustments to make and a lot to learn. Don’t worry; we’ll try our best to make things easier for you.”

“Am I going to go to school?” I asked.

“Yes,” Mom said, “But you still have a week before it starts, so don’t worry too much about it.” I smiled. This would be my first time going to an actual school! I was excited.

“We have to get ready for the Returner’s Ball,” Papa said, “How about you and your Mom go get you ready?”

“Okay, Papa,” I said, “I’ll see you later!”

“See you two later!” Papa said as Mom and I walked away. Mom led me back to my room.

“So, do you know what you want to wear, Aurelie?” Mom asked. I sighed. There were too many options.

“How about I show you which ones I like, and you choose which suits me best?”

“Sounds fun,” Mom said, “Maybe we could do the same thing for me?”

“And have mother-daughter bonding time?” I asked, knowing that Meredith, now Mom, wasn’t my birth mother, but I still wanted to spend time with her. I wouldn’t tell her she wasn’t my real mom because I knew that would break her heart. I must have had the same name and birthday as my cousin because Mom knew my name and birthday, but what happened to my cousin?

“Precisely,” Mom said, interrupting my thoughts and returning me to the present. The smile on Mom’s face made me feel uneasy, mainly because it hurt to lie to her, but I hid my uneasiness with a smile.

“Um, how do we get to my room again?” I asked.

“Do you want to transport there?” Mom asked.

“Yes, please, Mom,” I said. Mom took my hand, surrounded by the bright light, and the scenery changed. I loved teleportation’s convenience but could never get used to it.

I slowly picked out four dresses I liked the best, but it was hard because I don’t like dresses all too much, especially ones with frills or lace, and most had exactly that. I sighed. If only I could dress as I pleased, I doubt anyone would be happy. I ended up choosing three dresses: a white dress that went down to the floor with a design in blue beads, a pink dress that went down to my mid-calf, bedazzled by jewels, and a purple dress that went down to the floor that had a scale design going through most of it.

“Here are the ones I picked, Mom,” I said as I left my closet and hung them up on the closet door. Mom looked at the dresses skeptically but quickly changed her expression to a soft smile. I think she hoped that I wouldn’t notice, but I did.

“Could you try them on for me, Aurelie?” Mom asked. I nodded, entered my closet, and wore the white dress. When I came out, Mom smiled. “You look wonderful.” So then, I tried on the pink dress. “You look radiant.” And finally, the last dress. “You look so grown up.”

After changing to the dress I had originally worn, I asked, “So which one should I wear, Mom?”

“You looked the happiest in the white dress with blue beads,” Mom answered, “So I think you should wear that one.”

After that, Mom left, and I decided to read. I read ten books before realizing I had stayed up the whole night.